Spread the love this Valentine’s Day by supporting Hout Bay's sailing fundraiser
Support a much-anticipated fundraiser at Hout Bay Yacht Club to help under-privileged children learn to sail.
Image: Supplied
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Hout Bay Yacht Club invites the community to make a meaningful impact by attending its highly anticipated fundraiser on Saturday, February 14.
This initiative, in partnership with the Little Optimist Trust, aims to provide underprivileged children from Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu with the experience of sailing.
Volunteers from the club highlighted that many children are faced with significant challenges such as trauma, abuse, poverty, and disabilities.
Funds raised will not only sponsor sailing experiences but will also facilitate the transport of these young sailors to and from the club.
The fundraiser will give children from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to learn how to sail.
Image: Supplied
Tansy Pyatt from Hout Bay, one of the volunteers, expressed the profound impact sailing can have on a child's life and said: “We hope that through sailing, local children who have had a tough start in life will start to learn self-belief and confidence while out on the water. We have had young sailors from down here start from having no idea which end of a boat is which, but are now champion sailors who have crossed the Atlantic Ocean.”
The idea behind this initiative is not just about learning to sail; it’s about introducing the youths to a world of "possibilities and dreams".
Ms Pyatt explained that, alongside sailing skills, the children will be educated on the significance of ocean conservation.
“Teaching them how to keep our oceans clean and rubbish-free for future generations will be a priority,” she stated, underscoring the long-term benefits of the project," Ms Pyatt said.
"To make this vision a reality, community support is essential. Spending money at the many stalls at our Valentine’s Day fundraiser, even if only on a tasty boerewors roll and a beer, will help. Any sponsorship would be a godsend.”
Ms Pyatt also appealed to local businesses to assist in feeding the young sailors and supporting the initiative.
At the last event, children were excited to learn how to sail and were taken out to sea by some experienced sailors.
Image: Supplied
Fellow volunteer Cheryl Seymour urged the community to get involved and for everyone to partake in the joy of giving back.
“We are relying on the support of our generous club members and the community to help us help the youth of Hangberg and IY. On top of that, it will be great fun," she said, adding that the event will have vibrant offerings, including market stalls selling everything from curries to jewellery, a tombola, and a cake stall.
Greg Bertish, founder of non-profit and public benefit organisation The Little Optimist Trust, said this specific programme would introduce the youth to sailing, and teach them drowning prevention and about the marine world.
“We offer opportunity, inclusion, education, pathways to employment and positive mental health intervention for marginalised youth, through our sailing therapy programmes," he said.
The event will take place at the Hout Bay Yacht Club, located just around the corner from the Mariners Wharf restaurant, from 10am until 3pm. A highlight of the day is a raffle for a stainless-steel braai valued at R4250.
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